KSRTC to launch airline-model business class ride; hostess to serve food

KOCHI: A bus ride that rivals air travel. The KSRTC is set to launch an airline model business class bus service promising unprecedented luxury and speed to commuters. The premium offering, which will even have a hostess on board, is set to roll out upon the completion of the NH 66 widening work. Custom-designed coaches and on-board amenities, mirroring the comfort of a business class flight, will make the service a reality. A hostess will be deployed and light food will be served to passengers. The KSRTC is acquiring two 25-seater luxury buses featuring air suspension for a super-smooth ride. The tendering process will begin soon. The speciality will be the luxury seating. Were in talks with companies in Vietnam and China to import specially designed, electronically operated reclining seats. The seats are intended to offer maximum comfort, much like those found in an airlines business cabin. Each seat will have a smart TV and headphones. Passengers can connect their Android devices to play their own content or enjoy KSRTC-provided selections like songs and comedy film scenes, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar told TNIE . Another key feature is the airline-style food service. A hostess will be deployed, and a small pantry with a microwave will ensure hot food is served to passengers who pre-order meals with their tickets or purchase them on board. This system is designed to minimize fares by offering the food as an optional purchase, he said. The service is projected to cover the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam sector in a remarkable four hours, or even just three-and-a-half hours, and is planned to be launched upon completion of the NH widening activities in the section, taking full advantage of the improved NH infrastructure. The buses will operate as non-stop express services, avoiding entry into bus stations to save time. The only planned stops will be at a chosen hotel or restroom for the primary needs of the commuters, the minister said. Move aims to encourage shift from pvrivate cars to public transport If the bus isnt fully booked, it will make stops at less-crowded, convenient points like the bypasses in Kollam or Alappuzha for passengers with reservations, Ganesh Kumar said. The service will give a direct competition to premium trains like the Janshatabdi Express. The bus will depart from Thiruvananthapuram at 6 am to reach Ernakulam by 10 am. Simultaneous service will run from Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram. Service will be extended to Thrissur once work in the Thrissur section is complete, and the traffic congestion issue resolved. The evening service from Thrissur will start at 3.30 pm, reaching Ernakulam at 5.30 pm, and Thiruvananthapuram at 9.30 pm. By blending the speed and comfort of air travel with the accessibility of road transport, KSRTC is positioning itself to be a formidable competitor in the inter-city travel market. The services directly target high-end commuters like doctors, lawyers and government officials, aiming to encourage a shift from private cars to public transport, said minister. Whats on offer The premium service promises unprecedented luxury and swift travel Each seat to have a smart TV and headphones The buses will operate as non-stop express services, avoiding entry into bus stations to save time The service will be first launched in the TPuram- Ernakulam sector, upon the completion of the NH 66 widening work